Concrete Form Board Sleeve Connector

ABSTRACT

A concrete form board sleeve connector included a top section and a bottom section connected together. The top section and the bottom section form a rectangular shape with an interior volume. There are openings at opposing ends of the rectangular shape, the openings are configured to accept the ends of two different boards. A middle section is placed within the rectangular shape and is designed to prevent the board ends from going all the way through the rectangular object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/732,317 filed on Sep. 17, 2018. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a concrete form board sleeve connector.More particularly, the present invention provides a rectangular sleevethat is configured to accept the ends of boards through openings at bothends.

Concrete is used in all manners of construction projects around theworld. In order to create various structures from concrete, forms areneeded. Traditionally, forms are built from connecting boards togetherend to end. In the past, this meant having to nail or screw the variousboards together. This often times means using a smaller sized board tosupport the form. This can be a long and painstaking process. Whenhaving to take the boards apart, each screw will have to be removed orthe nails pried from the boards.

Consequently, there is a need in for an improvement in the art ofconnecting boards for concrete forms. The present inventionsubstantially diverges in design elements from the known art while atthe same time solves a problem many people face when having to assembleforms for pouring concrete. In this regard the present inventionsubstantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a concrete form board sleeve connectorwherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the userwhen using concrete forms in construction or other projects. Theconcrete form board sleeve connector comprises, a sleeve having a bottomsection, a top section, and a pair of sidewalls. The bottom section andthe top section are connected together by the sidewalls. The sleeve hasan opening at each of opposing ends, wherein the opening is configuredto accept a board end in each of the openings. A middle section isattached to the bottom section and is configured to prevent boards fromgoing all the way through the sleeve.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the concrete formboard sleeve connector.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the top section ofthe concrete form board sleeve connector.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bottom sectionof the concrete form board sleeve connector.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the middle sectionof the concrete form board sleeve connector.

FIG. 5 shows an in-use view of an embodiment of the concrete form boardsleeve connector.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the concrete formboard sleeve connector with a flared end and a different windowconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the concrete form board sleeve connector. For the purposesof presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, apreferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the concrete formboard sleeve connector. The figures are intended for representativepurposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in anyrespect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the concrete form board sleeve connector. The concreteform board sleeve connector is a sleeve 101 having openings 102 at bothends thereof. The openings 102 are configured to accept the ends ofboards therein. In one embodiment, the sleeve 101 is made from steel. Inone embodiment, the sleeve 101 is made from iron. In one embodiment, thesleeve 101 is made from a durable plastic.

The sleeve 101 is made from a top section 103 and a bottom section 104.The top section 103 and the bottom section 104 are connected together toform the sleeve 101. In one embodiment, the top section 103 and thebottom section 104 are spot welded together. In another embodiment, thetop section 103 and the bottom section 104 are held together withrivets. In one embodiment the top section 103 and the bottom section 104are U-shaped. This embodiment will be discussed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the top section of the concrete form board sleeveconnector. The top section 103 is made from a single piece of metal. Thetop section 103 is comprised of a large flat section 201 and a bent edge202. The bent edge 202 will form a sidewall of the sleeve. In someembodiments, the top section 103 further comprises a second bent edge203 to allow for an overlap with the bottom section. This can allow foreasier welding.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the bottom section of the concrete form board sleeveconnector. The bottom section 104 of the concrete form board sleeveconnector is made from a single piece of metal. The bottom section 104has a large flat section 301 and a bent edge 302. The bent edge 302 willform a sidewall of the sleeve. In some embodiments there can be a secondbent edge 303 to allow for a small overlap with the top section. Thiscan allow for easier welding.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the middle section of the concrete form board sleeveconnector. In some embodiments, there is a middle section 401 disposedwithin the sleeve. The middle section 401 is disposed in a disposedperpendicularly within the sleeve, extending transversely across thebottom section to function as a stopper. Just trying to add some moredetail. The middle section 401 is meant to function as a stopper. Themiddle section 401 will stop boards from being pushed all the waythrough the sleeve. In one embodiment, the middle section 401 has a bentend 402. This bent end is bent at approximately 90 degrees. This willallow for board ends to sit flush against the middle section 401.

In one embodiment, the middle section 401 is welded into the sleeve.This weld is done by attaching the bent end 402 to either the topsection or the bottom section. This will secure the middle section 401to the sleeve. In another embodiment, the middle section 401 is part ofthe bottom section. In this embodiment, the bottom section will be cutto allow for a section to be bent toward the interior of the sleeve.This will allow for the middle section 401 to be a part of the bottomsection and remove the need for an additional piece to serve as themiddle section.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an in-use view of an embodimentof the concrete form board sleeve connector. In one embodiment, thebottom section 104 can have a cut-out section forming a window 204. Thewindow 204 is disposed in the middle of the bottom section 104. Thewindow 204 is located such that each side of the middle section can beseen through the window 204. The window 204 is used to allow a user tobe able to tell where a board end is within the sleeve.

In use, the sleeve 101 holds the ends of two separate boards 501. Eachof the boards is placed into the sleeve 101 until it is pressed againstthe middle section. In the embodiments where there is a window 204, auser can use the window 204 to determine when the boards are in thesleeve 101 properly. Once the boards are placed in the concrete formboard sleeve connector, they are held in place and concrete can bepoured.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the concrete form board sleeve connector with a flared endand a different window configuration. In this configuration there is abottom section 601 and a top section 606. The bottom section 601 isconfigured to have a pair of sidewalls and the top section 606 isconfigured to have a pair of sidewalls. The bottom section 601 isconfigured to be slightly wider than the top section 606. This allowsthe bottom section 601 to be fitted over the top section 606. Thesidewalls can then be attached together using any manner of fastener.

The bottom section 601 further has a unique middle section 604 andwindow 602, 602 a configuration. In this configuration the window 602,is formed by cutting three sides. Further, there is a second window hole602, a cut such that the user can also see the opposite side of themiddle section 604. The fourth side 603 is then bent inwardly toward themiddle of the device. This cut out will form the middle section 604 ofthe device.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A concrete form board sleeve connector, comprising: a sleevehaving a bottom section, a top section, and a pair of sidewalls; whereinthe bottom section and the top section are connected together by thesidewalls; the sleeve further comprises an opening at each of opposingends, wherein the opening is configured to accept a board end in each ofthe openings. 2) The concrete form board sleeve connector of claim 1wherein, the top section is a U-shaped section and the bottom section isa U-shaped section; the U shape gives each the top section and thebottom section sidewalls that are integrated therewith; the sidewallsare configured to overlap when the top section and the bottom sectionare attached together; the sidewalls and connected together on theoverlapping sections. 3) The concrete form board sleeve connector ofclaim 1 wherein, the top section and bottom sections are made frommetal. 4) The concrete form board sleeve connector of claim 2 wherein,the top and bottom sections are connected via spot welds. 5) Theconcrete form board sleeve connector of claim 1 wherein, there is awindow located in the bottom section. 6) The concrete form board sleeveconnector of claim 1 wherein, there is a window located in the topsection across the middle section. 7) The concrete form board sleeveconnector of claim 1 wherein, the openings are beveled on one sidesidewall. 8) A concrete form board sleeve connector, comprising: asleeve having a bottom section, a top section, and a pair of sidewalls;wherein the bottom section and the top section are connected together bythe sidewalls; the sleeve has an opening at each of opposing ends,wherein the opening is configured to accept a board end in each of theopenings; a middle section is attached to the bottom section and isconfigured to prevent boards from going all the way through the sleeve.9) The concrete form board sleeve connector of claim 8 wherein, the topsection and bottom sections are made from metal. 10) The concrete formboard sleeve connector of claim 9 wherein, the top and bottom sectionsare connected via spot welds. 11) The concrete form board sleeveconnector of claim 8 wherein, there is a window located in the bottomsection. 12) The concrete form board sleeve connector of claim 8wherein, the middle section is welded to the bottom section. 13) Theconcrete form board sleeve connector of claim 8 wherein the middlesection is cut from the bottom section and bent inwardly.